United States | News & Politics

2258 readers

1762 users here now

Welcome to [email protected], where you can share and converse about the different things happening all over/about the United States.

If you’re interested in participating, please subscribe.

Rules

Be respectful and civil. No racism/bigotry/hateful speech.

Post anything related to the United States.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

100

Trump Withdraws Proposed PFAS Limitations, Giving “Green Light” to Polluters (truthout.org)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The withdrawn proposal would limit the amount of PFAS chemical plants can dump into the water supply.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Just cause I wanted to know:

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of synthetic chemicals characterized by their multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain[2]. These man-made compounds are known for their ability to repel water, oil, stains, grease, and heat[4][6].

PFAS were first introduced in the 1940s and have since been used in a wide range of applications[6]. They are found in numerous consumer products and industrial applications, including:

Non-stick cookware (e.g., Teflon)
Waterproof and stain-resistant fabrics
Food packaging
Firefighting foam
Cosmetics and personal care products
Electronics
Carpets and upholstery[2][3][4]

One of the defining characteristics of PFAS is their persistence in the environment, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals"[2]. This persistence is due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond, which makes them highly resistant to degradation[2][5]. As a result, PFAS can accumulate in the environment, wildlife, and human bodies over time[5][6].

The widespread use and persistence of PFAS have led to increasing levels of contamination in air, water, and soil[6]. This has raised concerns about potential health and environmental risks associated with PFAS exposure, prompting ongoing research and regulatory efforts to address these issues[2][6].

Citations: [1] https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per-_and_polyfluoroalkyl_substances [3] https://www.afcec.af.mil/What-We-Do/Environment/Per-and-Polyfluoroalkl-Substances/ [4] https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-pfas [5] https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/faq/categories/pfas-101 [6] https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas [7] https://www.ewg.org/what-are-pfas-chemicals [8] https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc